Fighting My Way Back

You tried to destroy me
To undermine me
My work
My strength
My safety
My very identity

You took who I am
The things that make me unique
Special
The things that make me proud of who I am
And what I can do and be and become
You took them all away
And left me with nothing

You nearly succeeded
You almost won
You held me down for so long
For a time I lost my will to fight back

But I am stronger than you know
I have endured more
Than most see in a series of lifetimes
And I have not only survived
I have thrived
Grown
Changed
Used the pain and the struggle and the heartache to make me stronger
Better
Wiser

You cannot destroy me
You cannot control me
You cannot overcome me
My will, my strength, my power

I am the freaking fire!

Salve

So many months
Of criticism
Faultfinding
Belittling
Malicious lies

Nothing is good enough
Unrealistic expectations
Double standards

Autocracy
Dictatorship
Tyranny

Mentally exhausting
Emotionally draining
Spiritually shattering

The simple statement
You have a very impressive resume

Healing

Hope

Possibilities
New opportunities
Fear
Excitement

I forget what it feels like
To be recognized
For what I can do
Instead of for a mistake

"I wonder what we did wrong this week"
Is no way to live